Multichanneled member and structures formed therewith

ABSTRACT

A multichanneled member adapted to assemble with like multichanneled members in normal relation and in longitudinal relation to form structures, such as load bearing pallets, containers, and the like. The multichanneled member has laterally spaced parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions to form a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions and an edge wall at each edge of the multichanneled member to form edge channels in cooperation with said wall portions. Each of the channels is sized to receive one edge wall therein or one end of a like multichanneled member therein whereby the multichanneled members are extending in the same direction or in a normal relation respectively. A structure formed of a plurality of the multichanneled members has vertically spaced apart top and bottom decks formed of a plurality of laterally spaced multichanneled members and a plurality of support members extending vertically therebetween to form a load bearing pallet having side members extending normal to the multichanneled members of the top and bottom decks.

United States Patent FORMED THEREWITH 6 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. CI 108/58 [51] lnt.Cl 865d 19/18 [50] Field of Search 108/5158 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,450,848 10/ 1948 Wisberger 108/56 2,463,214 3/1949 Stoner 108/52 2,487,687 11/1949 Arthur et al. 108/58 2,602,619 7/1952 Mclntyer 108/57 2,692,107 10/1954 DeRiddeer et a1. 108/51 2,762,593 9/1956 Weiss 108/57 3,172,374 3/1965 Allen 3,165,078 l/l965 White ABSTRACT: A multichanneled member adapted to assemble with like multichanneled members in normal relation and in longitudinal relation to form structures, such as load bearing pallets, containers, and the like. The multichanneled member has laterally spaced parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions to form a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions and an edge wall at each edge of the multichanneled member to fon'n edge channels in cooperation with said wall portions. Each of the channels is sized to receive one edge wall therein or one end of a like multichanneled member therein whereby the multichanneled members are extending in the same direction or in a normal relation respectively. A structure formed of a plurality of the multichanneled members has vertically spaced apart top and bottom decks formed of a plurality of laterally spaced multichanneled members and a plurality of support members extending vertically therebetween to form a load bearing pallet having side members extending normal to the multichanneled members of the top and bottom decks.

PATENIEU JUN 1 I97! sum 1 OF 3 'yWEIyTOR.

lernl ,wvi x ATTOR N EYS PATENTED'JUN 1 l9?! 3.581.680 sum 2 0F 3 NVENTUR.

El BY Fi arb l r ssl'fk v ATTORNEYS MULTICIIANNELED MEMBER AND STRUCTURES FORMED THEREWITH The present invention relates to a multichanneled member and more particularly to a multichanneled member adapted to assemble with like multichanneled members to form structures, such as load bearing pallets.

Heretofore, pallets constructed of wood were nailed, or nailed and glued. Nails worked out and the nail holes enlarged during use and the exposed nail heads damaged merchandise stored thereon. Many pallets have runners which prevent entrance of tying material and truck forks from a pair of its sides thereby limiting the flexibility of stowage arrangements and restricting the aisle arrangements for manipulating the loads. Prior metal pallets were expensive and required a plurality of sections to form same and paper pallets are not durable and are not adapted to support heavy loads. Pallets combining wood decks and metal columns require expensive machinery to form the connection between the metal and wood.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a multichanneled member adapted to assemble with like multichanneled members in normal relation and in longitudinal relation to form structures, such as load bearing pallets, containers, and the like; to provide such a multichanneled member wherein the channels therein are sized to receive an edge or an end of the like member; to provide a reuseable load bearing pallet formed of a plurality of the multichanneled members wherein the pallet is capable of supporting heavy loads during stowage and transportation thereof; to provide such a pallet adapted to be lifted using mechanical pallet handling equipment from any of its sides; to provide such a pallet adapted for easy passage of banding or other tying material through the pallet from any of its sides during securing the load to the pallet; to provide a strong, lightweight, inexpensive and durable pallet; to provide such a pallet having top and bottom decks spaced apart vertically by and interlocked with a plurality of like multichanneled members; to provide a pallet formed of a plurality of like multichanneled members which may be assembled economically, easily, simply, accurately and speedily; and to provide such a multichanneled member and pallet made therefrom which eliminates the aforementioned difficulties.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a multichanneled member embodying features of the present invention with portions of like multichanneled members shown in broken lines and in typical positions for assembling therewith.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pallet formed of a plurality of the multichanneled members shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bottom deck of the pallet shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a top deck of a modified pallet with portions broken away to show vertically directed support members extending between top and bottom decks thereof.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one side of the modified pallet.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of one end of the modified pallet.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bottom deck of the modified pallet.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a top deck of a further modified pallet.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a bottom deck of the further modified pallet.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of one side of the further modified pallet.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of one end of the further modified pallet shown in an inverted position.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a multichanneled member adapted to assemble with like multichanneled members in normal relation and in longitudinal relation wherein channels therein are sized to receive an edge or an end of like multichanneled members to assemble together to form structures, such as load bearing pallets, containers, and the like. The like multichanneled members 1 each have wall portions arranged in laterally spaced rows 2 and 3 with the wall portions in one row being parallel with but longitudinally offset from the wall portions in the other row and with wall portions 4 extending laterally between the rows 2 and 3 and edge walls 5 and 6 extend laterally from ends of the wall portions in one of the rows, for example, row 2 to form a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions including edge channels 7 and 8 respectively.

The multichanneled member 1 is illustrated as having intermediate channels 9 and 10 adjacent the edge channels 7 and 8 respectively and opening in an opposite direction thereto. Centered between the edge walls 5 and 6 is a double width channel 11 sized to receive a pair of the like multichanneled members therein with the free edges of the edge walls thereof in engagement or with the wall portions in row 2 in back-toback engagement.

Each of the edge channels 7 and 8 and the intermediate channels 9 and are sized to receive one of the edge walls 5 or 6 ofa like multichanneled member 1 therein whereby the multichanneled members are extending in the same longitudinal direction with the respective rows of wall portions 2 and 3 thereof in normal relation. Each of the edge channels 7 and 8 and the intermediate channels 9 and 10 are substantially identical in size and are sized to receive one end of a like multichanneled member 1 therein whereby the multichanneled members are in non-rial relation with the respective rows of wall portions 2 and 3 thereof also in normal relation.

In the illustrated multichanneled member l, the distance between the free edge of the edge walls 5 and 6 and the top side or surface of the row 2 of wall portions, as seen in FIG. 1, is substantially identical to the distance between facing surfaces of the edge channels 7 and 8 and the intermediate channels 9 and 10 and substantially identical to one-half the distance between facing surfaces of the double width channel 11.

It is desirable that the portions of the multichanneled member I be formed with precise dimensions particularly for thickness, width, spacing of the wall portions to permit assembly with like multichanneled members to form various structures, therefore, the multichanneled members are extruded sections, preferably aluminum for lightness in weight.

The multichanneled members 1 may be assembled together to form a plurality of different structures, such as a load bearing pallet 12, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, having a top deck 13 and a bottom deck or support means M and a plurality of support members 15 extending between the multichanneled members or slats in the top and bottom decks l3 and 14 wherein the support members 15 are positioned to interengage within selected channels within the multichanneled members or slats in the top and bottom decks l3 and 14.

In the illustrated load bearing pallet 12, the top and bottom decks l3 and 14 respectively are formed of a plurality of elongate laterally spaced slats in the form of the multichanneled members 1 having the free edges of the respective edge walls in facing relation wherein the respective top surface of the row 2 of wall portions, as seen in FIG. 1, forms the upper surface of the top deck 13 and the lower surface of the bottom deck or support means 114. Opposite ends of the slats or multichanneled members 1 in the top and bottom decks 13 and 14 are received in the edge channels 7 and 8 respectively of side members 16 and 17.

The support members 15 are vertically extending and longitudinally spaced along vertically aligned multichanneled members or slats in the top and bottom decks l3 and 14 to define openings or spaces to permit arms (not shown) of a lifting apparatus (now shown), such as a fork lift truck, to enter the pallet 12 between the support members 15 at either end thereof. Banding or other tying material may also be extended through the pallet between the spaced support members 15 to secure a load of merchandise thereon.

It is desirable to permit the arms of the lifting apparatus to enter the pallet 12 through the side members 16 and 17 to thereby provide flexibility in positioning the pallets relative to an aisle in a storage area, therefore, the side members 16 and 17 each have a plurality of apertures 18 therein, each sized to permit arms of the lifting apparatus to enter the pallet 12 through the respective side member 16 or 17.

In the illustrated structure, the apertures 18 are formed by cutting out and removing a center portion of the multichanneled members forming the side members 16 and 17. The removed portions include the wall portions 4 forming the intermediate channels 9 and 10 and double width channel 11 therebetween. It is preferable to provide a surface rather than an edge of the wall portions in the row 3 to be engaged by the arms of the lifting apparatus, therefore, suitable stiffening members 19 formed of structural shapes, such as channels, angles, and the like are positioned in the intermediate channel 9 adjacent the upper edge of the side members 16 and 17 and are suitably secured therein, as by spot welding. The stiffening members 19 strengthen the side members 16 and 17 at the apertures 18 therein and provide a surface to be engaged by the arms of the respective lifting apparatus.

It is desirable to guide the arms of the lifting apparatus into the spaces between the support members in the ends of the pallet 12, therefore, the exterior edge wall of the multichanneled member at each end of the pallet 12 is bent inwardly to form a ramp surface to guide the arms or prongs of the fork lift into the load bearing pallet 12.

After the various multichanneled members are assembled together to form the load bearing pallet 12, the members are suitably secured together, preferably by spot welding at the respective edge walls, channels, and ends thereof. It is noted that opposite ends of the side members 16 and 17 are received in one of the edge channels of the support members 15 positioned at the corners of the pallet 12 whereby the load bearing pallet 12 thus formed is extremely strong when compared to conventional paper, wooden or metal pallets especially in resistance to lateral forces due to the interlocking action of the multichanneled members in the respective channels therein.

It should be noted that the arrangement of the multichanneled members or slats in the top deck includes a pair of the multichanneled members 1 in side-by-side engagement at the center thereof, however, the multichanneled members I may be arranged to provide support for any specific load. The upper surface of the top deck 13 may be covered with a suitable material, such as plywood, to provide a smooth surface for the top deck 13.

It is preferable that the top deck 13 of the load bearing pallet 12 be treated to increase the frictional resistance between the top deck 13 and merchandise placed thereon, therefore, the top deck 13 is sprayed with urethane to form a thin coating on the top deck 13.

FIGS. 4 to 7 inclusive, illustrate a modified load bearing pallet 20 having a top deck 21 formed of a plurality of laterally spaced multichanneled members 1 and a bottom deck or support means 22, also formed of a plurality of laterally spaced multichanneled members I with support members 23 extending therebetween and in the illustrated structure, the support members 23 are vertically directed and have opposite ends received in the edge channels 7 and 8 of the top and bottom slats.

It is preferable to have a greater number of the multichanneled members 1 in the top deck 21 than in the bottom deck 22 to provide greater surface area for supporting a load thereon. However, the portions of members in the top and bottom decks receiving opposite ends of the support members 23 must be vertically aligned. In the illustrated structure, there are five slats in the top deck and three slats in the bottom deck, however, any arrangement having every other top slat vertically aligned with a bottom slat with support members 23 extending therebetween may be assembled depending on the size of pallet desired and the load to be supported.

Opposite ends of the top and bottom slats are received in side members 24 and 25 and in the illustrated structure, the ends of the top and bottom slats are received in the edge channels 7 and 8 respectively of the side members 24 and 25. Opposite ends of the side members 24 and 25 are received in one of the edge channels of the support members 23 positioned at the corners of the pallet 20 whereby each of the multichanneled members in the modified pallet 20 are assembled with a like multichanneled member for interlocking engagement therewith and when the multichanneled members are suitably secured together, preferably by spot welding at the respective edge walls, a pallet is provided which is extremely strong in resistance to lateral forces.

FIGS. 8 to II inclusive, illustrate a further modified pallet 30 having a plurality of laterally spaced top slats 31 to form a top deck and a bottom deck or support means 32 vertically spaced therefrom by a plurality of vertically directed support members 33. The support members 33 are vertically extending and longitudinally spaced along the top slats 31 to permit arms of the lifting apparatus to pass therebetween whereby the pallet may be lifted.

Horizontally extending side members 34 and 35 receive opposite ends of the top slats 31 in the edge channel adjacent the upper edge thereof. Portions of the side members 34 and 35 are removed, as indicated at 36, to provide access for the arms of the lifting apparatus to pass through the side members 34 and 35 and between the support members 33 whereby the pallet may be lifted from any side thereof. In the illustrated structure, the portion removed is a lower edge portion and leaves the double width channel 11 intact and extends from a lower edge of the side members 34 and 35 to the wall portion 4 forming a lower edge surface of the double width channel 11 whereby the arms of the lifting apparatus engage the surface of the lower wall portion 4 forming the double width channel 11.

The support members 33 are vertically extending and Iongitudinally spaced along selected top deck members whereby suitable tying material or arms of a lifting apparatus may pass through or enter the pallet from any of its sides. The bottom deck or support means 32 is formed of a plurality of multichanneled members which are vertically aligned with and longitudinally spaced along the selected top slats 31 in the top deck. It may be desirable to increase the height ofthe top deck above the floor, therefore, the bottom slats are positioned below the lower edge of the side members 34 and 35 and have their upper row of wall portions engaging and supporting the lower edge wall of the side members 34 and 35.

In the illustrated structure, the support members 33 and the members forming the bottom deck or support means 32 cooperate to form a plurality of columnar members 37 and the columnar members 37 adjacent the side members 34 and 35 each have horizontally extending interior side members 38 having their upper edge wall engaging a lower surface of the top slats 31 and the lower edge channel thereof receiving one end of the multichanneled members forming the bottom support means 32.

Opposite ends of the side members 38 of the columnar members 37 adjacent the side members 34 and 35 are received in one edge channel of the support members 33 and the edge wall at the other edge of the support members 33 therein is in engagement with the interior side of the side members 34 and 35.

Intermediate columnar members 37 and the columnar members 37 adjacent the side members 34 and 35 have opposite ends of the support members 33 received in the edge channels 7 and 8 of the top slats 31 and the multichanneled members forming the bottom support means 32.

When the various multichanneled members are assembled and suitably secured together, preferably by spot welding at the respective edge walls 5 and 6 thereof, the pallet 30 thus formed is particularly adapted for storing and transporting material or merchandise. The vertical space between the top deck 31 and the bottom support means 32 provides easy access for a fork lift or insertion of banding or other tying material used to secure the load thereon.

The number and arrangement of columnar members 37 may vary from the nine illustrated to as few as four arranged in two rows of two each, depending on the load to be supported and size of pallet desired. The longitudinal and lateral spacing of the columnar members 37 and the removed portions of the side members 34 and 35 cooperate to permit the entrance from any side of the arms or prongs of a conventional fork lift (not shown) or the placing of suitable banding or tying material through the pallet 30 to secure a load thereon.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A multichanneled member comprising:

a. a plurality of wall portions arranged in a pair of laterally spaced rows, said wall portions in one row being parallel with and longitudinally offset from the wall portions in the other row;

b. laterally extending wall portions connecting ends of respective wall portions in said pair of rows;

c. edge wall portions extending laterally from ends of the wall portions in one of said rows whereby said edge walls and said laterally extending wall portions and said rows of wall portions cooperate to form a continuous member having a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions;

d. facing surfaces of adjacent laterally extending wall portions are spaced to receive one of said edge walls therebetween to position the respective multichanneled members to extend in the same direction with the rows of wall portions thereof in normal relation; and

e. opposite surfaces of said wall portions in said laterally spaced rows are spaced to be received between said facing surfaces of adjacent laterally extending wall portions whereby one end of a like multichanneled member may be selectively received in any of said side-by-side channels.

2. The multichanneled member as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. a pair of said laterally extending wall portions have facing surfaces thereof spaced apart to form a double width channel sized to receive a pair of like multichanneled members therein. 3. A structure in the form of a load bearing pallet comprisa. vertically spaced apart top and bottom decks each formed of a plurality of spacedlike multichanneled members, said multichanneled members each being formed of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions and an edge wall extending laterally from each edge of the multichanneled member to form a plurality of sideby-side channels opening in opposite directions;

b. a plurality of support members extending between said multichanneled top and bottom deck members, said support members being like multichanneled members received in channels of said top and bottom deck members;

c. said multichanneled members in said top deck are laterally spaced;

d. a like multichanneled side member extends normal to said multichanneled members of said top deck at each opposite end thereof, said ends of said top deck members being received in one of said channels of said side members;

e. said side members each have a plurality of apertures therein each sized to permit arms of a lifting apparatus to extend therethrough to enter the pallet; and

f. said support members are each vertically extending and longitudinally spaced along selected top deck members,

said spacing between said support members being sized to permit arms of the lifting apparatus to extend therebetween whereby the pallet may be lifted from any side thereof.

4. A structure in the form of a load bearing pallet comprisa. vertically spaced apart top and bottom decks each formed of a plurality of spaced like multichanneled members, said multichanneled members each being formed of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions and an edge wall extending laterally from each edge of the multichanneled member to form a plurality of sideby-side channels opening in opposite directions;

b. a plurality of support members extending between said multichanneled top and bottom deck members, said support members being like multichanneled members received in channels of said top and bottom deck members;

c. said multichanneled members in said top deck are laterally spaced;

d. a like multichanneled side member extends normal to said multichanneled members of said top deck at each opposite end thereof, said ends of said top deck members being received in one of said channels of said side members;

e. said support members are each vertically extending and longitudinally spaced along selected top deck members, said spacing between said support members being sized to permit anns of a lifting apparatus to extend therebetween;

. said multichanneled members in said bottom deck are longitudinally spaced along said selected top deck members; and

g. said side members each have portions thereof removed between said support members to permit arms of the lifting apparatus to enter the pallet, said removed portions including a lower edge portion of said side members.

. A structure having:

a. a plurality of laterally spaced horizontally extending multichanneled members, said multichanneled members each being formed of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions and an edge wall extending laterally from each edge of the multichanneled member to form edge channels and intermediate channels in sideby-side relation with the edge channels opening in opposite directions;

b. a like multichanneled support member having one end thereof received in each edge channel of each of said horizontally extending multichanneled members and extending vertically therefrom; and a plurality of elongate laterally spaced horizontally extendinglike multichanneled members vertically aligned with said first namedhorizontally extending multichanneled members and positioned above said support members and having the other end of said support members received in respective edge channels of selected elongate multichanneled members.

. The structure as set forth in claim 5 including:

a. a like multichanneled side member extending normal to said elongate multichanneled members and normal to said first named multichanneled members at each end of said elongate multichanneled members, said ends of said elongate multichanneled members being received in an upper edge channel of said side members, said side members each having the lower edge wall thereof in engagement with one of said rows of wall portions of said first named multichanneled members adjacent the sides of the structure. 

1. A multichanneled member comprising: a. a plurality of wall portions arranged in a pair of laterally spaced rows, said wall portions in one row being parallel with and longitudinally offset from the wall portions in the other row; b. laterally extending wall portions connecting ends of respective wall portions in said pair of rows; c. edge wall portions extending laterally from ends of the wall portions in one of said rows whereby said edge walls and said laterally extending wall portions and said rows of wall portions cooperate to form a continuous member having a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions; d. facing surfaces of adjacent laterally extending wall portions are spaced to receive one of said edge walls therebetween to position the respective multichanneled members to extend in The same direction with the rows of wall portions thereof in normal relation; and e. opposite surfaces of said wall portions in said laterally spaced rows are spaced to be received between said facing surfaces of adjacent laterally extending wall portions whereby one end of a like multichanneled member may be selectively received in any of said side-by-side channels.
 2. The multichanneled member as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. a pair of said laterally extending wall portions have facing surfaces thereof spaced apart to form a double width channel sized to receive a pair of like multichanneled members therein.
 3. A structure in the form of a load bearing pallet comprising: a. vertically spaced apart top and bottom decks each formed of a plurality of spacedlike multichanneled members, said multichanneled members each being formed of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions and an edge wall extending laterally from each edge of the multichanneled member to form a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions; b. a plurality of support members extending between said multichanneled top and bottom deck members, said support members being like multichanneled members received in channels of said top and bottom deck members; c. said multichanneled members in said top deck are laterally spaced; d. a like multichanneled side member extends normal to said multichanneled members of said top deck at each opposite end thereof, said ends of said top deck members being received in one of said channels of said side members; e. said side members each have a plurality of apertures therein each sized to permit arms of a lifting apparatus to extend therethrough to enter the pallet; and f. said support members are each vertically extending and longitudinally spaced along selected top deck members, said spacing between said support members being sized to permit arms of the lifting apparatus to extend therebetween whereby the pallet may be lifted from any side thereof.
 4. A structure in the form of a load bearing pallet comprising: a. vertically spaced apart top and bottom decks each formed of a plurality of spaced like multichanneled members, said multichanneled members each being formed of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall portions and an edge wall extending laterally from each edge of the multichanneled member to form a plurality of side-by-side channels opening in opposite directions; b. a plurality of support members extending between said multichanneled top and bottom deck members, said support members being like multichanneled members received in channels of said top and bottom deck members; c. said multichanneled members in said top deck are laterally spaced; d. a like multichanneled side member extends normal to said multichanneled members of said top deck at each opposite end thereof, said ends of said top deck members being received in one of said channels of said side members; e. said support members are each vertically extending and longitudinally spaced along selected top deck members, said spacing between said support members being sized to permit arms of a lifting apparatus to extend therebetween; f. said multichanneled members in said bottom deck are longitudinally spaced along said selected top deck members; and g. said side members each have portions thereof removed between said support members to permit arms of the lifting apparatus to enter the pallet, said removed portions including a lower edge portion of said side members.
 5. A structure having: a. a plurality of laterally spaced horizontally extending multichanneled members, said multichanneled members each being formed of a plurality of laterally spaced rows of parallel and offset wall portions connected by laterally extending wall poRtions and an edge wall extending laterally from each edge of the multichanneled member to form edge channels and intermediate channels in side-by-side relation with the edge channels opening in opposite directions; b. a like multichanneled support member having one end thereof received in each edge channel of each of said horizontally extending multichanneled members and extending vertically therefrom; and c. a plurality of elongate laterally spaced horizontally extendinglike multichanneled members vertically aligned with said first named horizontally extending multichanneled members and positioned above said support members and having the other end of said support members received in respective edge channels of selected elongate multichanneled members.
 6. The structure as set forth in claim 5 including: a. a like multichanneled side member extending normal to said elongate multichanneled members and normal to said first named multichanneled members at each end of said elongate multichanneled members, said ends of said elongate multichanneled members being received in an upper edge channel of said side members, said side members each having the lower edge wall thereof in engagement with one of said rows of wall portions of said first named multichanneled members adjacent the sides of the structure. 